I find it exceptionally odd that I never heard anything derogatory about Charlie Kirk until after he was assassinated.
I’m sure there were stories and commentaries in the mainstream media berating Charlie over the years, but the mainstream media has lost all credibility with me, so that rhetoric probably passed right by me without hitting home. But, right now I’m not talking about the mainstream media. I’m talking about some of my friends on social media.
I’ll admit that I didn’t know much about the man. I saw him on TV from time to time, but I honestly can’t think of a single instance when he said something that struck a chord with me. That probably speaks more to my indifference than it does to his ability to capture the audience. He was a conservative Christian…I’m an independent thinking Heathen. I’m sure we had things in common, but in all honesty, I can’t think of a single time I stopped to listen to him speak. That’s irrelevant though.
What is relevant is that someone decided that it was necessary to end his life in order to stop his message. Someone decided that the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States needed to be squelched with the totality of a bullet. A twenty-two-year-old boy took it upon himself to end a life, breaking the laws of the nation, the commandments of the Christian Bible and the standards of humanity in order to stop someone from sending a message that he personally disagreed with. That, ladies and gentlemen is a travesty.
What’s really gnawing at me though is the amount of vitriol that I see pouring into the Universe that seemingly condones the shooter’s actions. People I’ve known my whole life have been forwarding memes and statements about Kirk, attacking his person and his beliefs. I haven’t researched the accusations in the memes, because frankly their irrelevant. Nothing Kirk said in his entire life…NOTHING…justifies the demise that he met. Yet, I have people I’ve known for half a century…people I’d defend with my last breath…spewing hate that attempts to do just that…justify the murder of a law-abiding father and husband.
If you consider yourself a Christian, I would suggest reacquainting yourself with your Ten Commandments. There are no exceptions listed to Thall Shall Not Kill that allows for the assassination of those with opinions with which you disagree.
If you consider yourself an American, I would suggest reacquainting yourself with the Bill of Rights. The first amendment grants citizens of this country the freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the right to assemble peacefully. We have guaranteed to us what most of the rest of this planet is yearning, fighting and dying to attain.
If neither of those hit home with you, I’d suggest looking into your own heart. Ask your heart one simple question: If death was the penalty for rhetoric that someone finds offensive, would you like to be held accountable for every word that’s ever left your lips?
Please. I beg of you. STOP filling the Universe with hate. Stop adding fuel to a fire that’s already burning out of control.